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Love, Inc. #1
Love, Inc.
Zahra, Kali, and Syd would never have met if their parents' marriages hadn't fallen apart. But when the three girls collide in group counseling, they discover they have something else in common: they've each been triple-timed by the same nefarious charmer, Eric, aka Rico, aka Rick. Talk about eye-opening therapy. Cheerful, diplomatic Zahra is devastated. Rico had been her rock and sole confidant. How could she have missed the signs? Folksy, flirtatious Kali feels almost as bad. She and Rick had only been on a few dates, but they'd felt so promising. Hardened vintage-vixen Syd is beyond tears. She and Eric had real history... Or so she'd thought. Now all three girls have one mission: to show that cheater the folly of his ways. Project Payback is such a success, the girls soon have clients lining up for their consulting services. Is your boyfriend acting shady? Dying to know if your crush is into you? Need match-making expertise? Look no further than Love, Inc.
409 pages, Hardcover
First published January 4, 2011
31 people are currently reading
2109 people want to read
About the author
Yvonne Collins
29 books81 followersWhen I'm not writing books with Sandy, I can usually be found on a film set, where life is anything but dull. I've hung off the side of Toronto's CN tower, faced down a Grizzly bear, danced with Gregory Hines, and shared a beer with Ireland's Lord Guinness.
In 2003, Panavision Canada recognized my camera skills with the coveted Woody Award. It's an honor. Really.
And to think I almost became a cop. Fortunately for the citizens of Toronto, I flunked the psychological profile. Then, there was my brief stint as a bank manager, but I don't want to dwell on that.
Better to dwell on the restaurant job where I met the man who became my husband. I was the bartender; he was the busboy. It's still a perfect match: I get to call the "shots" and he cleans up after me. More importantly, he cleans up after our schnauzer, whom we affectionately describe as a four-bagger (Note: Dog-owners, you know what I'm talking about here).
I am a tea granny and a home dècor magazine junkie. I play the piano, although I don't own one. I own two guitars, although I don't play them. I sing to my dog, wear fleece even in summer, and never miss an episode of Coronation Street.
I could go on, but my tea is cold. And let's face it, you probably stopped reading after I mentioned the Woody Award.
In 2003, Panavision Canada recognized my camera skills with the coveted Woody Award. It's an honor. Really.
And to think I almost became a cop. Fortunately for the citizens of Toronto, I flunked the psychological profile. Then, there was my brief stint as a bank manager, but I don't want to dwell on that.
Better to dwell on the restaurant job where I met the man who became my husband. I was the bartender; he was the busboy. It's still a perfect match: I get to call the "shots" and he cleans up after me. More importantly, he cleans up after our schnauzer, whom we affectionately describe as a four-bagger (Note: Dog-owners, you know what I'm talking about here).
I am a tea granny and a home dècor magazine junkie. I play the piano, although I don't own one. I own two guitars, although I don't play them. I sing to my dog, wear fleece even in summer, and never miss an episode of Coronation Street.
I could go on, but my tea is cold. And let's face it, you probably stopped reading after I mentioned the Woody Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
August 5, 2011
There are not enough words to describe how much I loved this book! It was the perfect combination of everything you could ask for it a great chick-lit book! It was insanely funny and just straight up adorable. The authors create such a unique plot with brilliant characters. I was hooked the entire time! The writing, the characters and the plot just made me want to jump in and join this hilariously fun story. Not only is this a perfect read for the summer, it's just the perfect read all-together. I fell in love with this story from the moment I started... and I'll tell you why!
First off, the plot is just do darn adorable, exciting and filled with awesome drama. We follow three characters, Zahra being our main one. Her parents are divorced, but she has great boyfriend who is Rico. Zahra being Pakistani/Scottish, she has had her family troubles. Her grandparents didn't like the fact that their daughter married out of their ethnicity. One thing lead to another, and Zahra's parents got a divorce. It devastated her and her sister, but Zahra clings to the fact that she has her boyfriend by her side. He's everything she could ask for in a guy, and she is thrilled that she finally met someone who plays the role of her rock.
After the divorce, Zahra is sent to group counseling to help her with her parent's divorce. There, she meets two other girls, Kali and Syd. Kalu is flirtatious and spunky, while Syd is tougher and more of the vintage-vixen. All three girls knew they had one thing in common; their parent's separation. However, they soon discover that they share the same boyfriend, and has been three-timing them all at the same time! Meet Rico/Rick/Eric. The guy who made up two different names to date three girls.
Zahra is devastated beyond belief. She feels horrible for not figuring it out, and seeing the signs. She wonders how she could have been so stupid to believe that he actually liked her. Kali feels just as bad, she thought she had something special with him. However, Syd feels the worst. She actually had a history with Eric, and two think he cheated on her with two other girls makes her hurt beyond belief.
What the girls decide to do changes the whole course of the novel. They want revenge. It ends up going so well, that people want the tree of them do do it to their exes. Soon, they have clients wanting relationship advice, match-making, revenge and help on the all so complicated, four letter word, love. They are the go-to girls to solve all relationship problems.
And that is how Love, Inc began its business!
I highly recommend this adorable and fantastic read! I loved everything about it! The characters are like no other. It's highly entertaining and just so great. Need I say more?
5/5
2011-028
First off, the plot is just do darn adorable, exciting and filled with awesome drama. We follow three characters, Zahra being our main one. Her parents are divorced, but she has great boyfriend who is Rico. Zahra being Pakistani/Scottish, she has had her family troubles. Her grandparents didn't like the fact that their daughter married out of their ethnicity. One thing lead to another, and Zahra's parents got a divorce. It devastated her and her sister, but Zahra clings to the fact that she has her boyfriend by her side. He's everything she could ask for in a guy, and she is thrilled that she finally met someone who plays the role of her rock.
After the divorce, Zahra is sent to group counseling to help her with her parent's divorce. There, she meets two other girls, Kali and Syd. Kalu is flirtatious and spunky, while Syd is tougher and more of the vintage-vixen. All three girls knew they had one thing in common; their parent's separation. However, they soon discover that they share the same boyfriend, and has been three-timing them all at the same time! Meet Rico/Rick/Eric. The guy who made up two different names to date three girls.
Zahra is devastated beyond belief. She feels horrible for not figuring it out, and seeing the signs. She wonders how she could have been so stupid to believe that he actually liked her. Kali feels just as bad, she thought she had something special with him. However, Syd feels the worst. She actually had a history with Eric, and two think he cheated on her with two other girls makes her hurt beyond belief.
What the girls decide to do changes the whole course of the novel. They want revenge. It ends up going so well, that people want the tree of them do do it to their exes. Soon, they have clients wanting relationship advice, match-making, revenge and help on the all so complicated, four letter word, love. They are the go-to girls to solve all relationship problems.
And that is how Love, Inc began its business!
I highly recommend this adorable and fantastic read! I loved everything about it! The characters are like no other. It's highly entertaining and just so great. Need I say more?
5/5
2011-028
Want to read
September 8, 2017
August 10, 2011
How adorable is that cover? Seriously, there are all these little details and it's so cute.
Okay, so the idea for Love, Inc. is awesome. Three girls who have been tripled-timed by the same guy--including one of them he had been dating for two years--find out about his dealings on the side and take wicked revenge. People start hearing about Love, Inc. and since everyone has a job for them and let's face it, teenagers like getting paid--Love, Inc. becomes a real business.
Zahra, Kali, and Syd are all great characters. Sometimes they were a little cliche, like Syd being the quintessential bad girl with a vulnerable side, and Kali being a total flirt who doesn't really commit, but they were all very fun to read about. All the girls have really screwed up families--hello, they met in counseling--and yet they aren't self-pitiers. In fact, they use skills that helped them deal with their own families to help Love, Inc. clients.
And now that I realize it, this is actually really true. Kali, the flirt, distracts herself from commitment because her mom has been through several husbands, and she uses those flirting abilities to find matchmaking clients. Syd, the rebel, distracts herself with crime like graffiti to avoid her mom, the crazy woman, who is obsessed with trying to get Syd's dad back.
Zahra, the narrator, in particular demonstrates a great skill for mediating between clients who are breaking up, because of her separated parents and what she tries to do to get them back together.
One thing I really liked about this book was the whole storyline with Zahra's grandparents. Zahra's mom is Pakistani, and her dad is (I think?) Irish, so when they got married, the mother's parents were extremely disappointed. This seems like a total cliche, but there's actually a very good backstory to why this happened. Zahra's grandparents come to the States when they find out about the separation, and they slowly try to assimilate Zahra, her mom, and her sister Saliyah back into Pakistani culture. This is an awesome example of diversity in YA.
Another thing I liked was the love square! Yes, a love square! Yay for originality!
Basically there are three guys in this book who are love interests for Zahra: Brody, and two other guys who we will call Sheldon and Leonard (both because I have forgotten their names and because I love The Big Bang Theory). I loved Brody's character from the start, but Zahra hated him for being a flirt and kind of a jackass. Sheldon was the grandparent's choice, being Sunni Muslim, and therefore acceptable. And Leonard was just another sweet guy... but there was no spark. It was nice to see a variety of love interests in contemporary, and I had no idea who Zahra would choose.
If I could change one thing about the book, it would be the narration. I did genuinely like Zahra, but I think this is the type of book that would have been better in alternating perspective.
Plot= 17/20 | Characters = 15/20 | Writing= 10/15 | Dialogue= 11/15 | Ending= 7/10 | Cover (beauty) = 4/5 | Cover (relates to story) = 4/5 | Rereadability = 2.5/5 | Unputdownability = 3.5/5
Total= 74/100
Okay, so the idea for Love, Inc. is awesome. Three girls who have been tripled-timed by the same guy--including one of them he had been dating for two years--find out about his dealings on the side and take wicked revenge. People start hearing about Love, Inc. and since everyone has a job for them and let's face it, teenagers like getting paid--Love, Inc. becomes a real business.
Zahra, Kali, and Syd are all great characters. Sometimes they were a little cliche, like Syd being the quintessential bad girl with a vulnerable side, and Kali being a total flirt who doesn't really commit, but they were all very fun to read about. All the girls have really screwed up families--hello, they met in counseling--and yet they aren't self-pitiers. In fact, they use skills that helped them deal with their own families to help Love, Inc. clients.
And now that I realize it, this is actually really true. Kali, the flirt, distracts herself from commitment because her mom has been through several husbands, and she uses those flirting abilities to find matchmaking clients. Syd, the rebel, distracts herself with crime like graffiti to avoid her mom, the crazy woman, who is obsessed with trying to get Syd's dad back.
Zahra, the narrator, in particular demonstrates a great skill for mediating between clients who are breaking up, because of her separated parents and what she tries to do to get them back together.
One thing I really liked about this book was the whole storyline with Zahra's grandparents. Zahra's mom is Pakistani, and her dad is (I think?) Irish, so when they got married, the mother's parents were extremely disappointed. This seems like a total cliche, but there's actually a very good backstory to why this happened. Zahra's grandparents come to the States when they find out about the separation, and they slowly try to assimilate Zahra, her mom, and her sister Saliyah back into Pakistani culture. This is an awesome example of diversity in YA.
Another thing I liked was the love square! Yes, a love square! Yay for originality!
Basically there are three guys in this book who are love interests for Zahra: Brody, and two other guys who we will call Sheldon and Leonard (both because I have forgotten their names and because I love The Big Bang Theory). I loved Brody's character from the start, but Zahra hated him for being a flirt and kind of a jackass. Sheldon was the grandparent's choice, being Sunni Muslim, and therefore acceptable. And Leonard was just another sweet guy... but there was no spark. It was nice to see a variety of love interests in contemporary, and I had no idea who Zahra would choose.
If I could change one thing about the book, it would be the narration. I did genuinely like Zahra, but I think this is the type of book that would have been better in alternating perspective.
Plot= 17/20 | Characters = 15/20 | Writing= 10/15 | Dialogue= 11/15 | Ending= 7/10 | Cover (beauty) = 4/5 | Cover (relates to story) = 4/5 | Rereadability = 2.5/5 | Unputdownability = 3.5/5
Total= 74/100
March 13, 2022
I only read this because it was the only romance novel available for a quick read. I liked Zahra the most as a character I think she was really defined and wasn’t settling for some loser. The book in general was alright- I’m not 100% sure what age group this book is geared at- some of the stuff in it screams high school readers but the cover looks more so like a pre teen book. Anyways I enjoyed this book but if I read romance novels again I will probably need some suggestions since I have no idea which books are good. Decent book, not the best, but decent.
February 21, 2011
*I won this novel from the authors through Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review.*
I've been really looking forward to reading Love, Inc. ever since I first heard about it and after loving Girl v. Boy, Sandy and Yvonne's previous collaboration together, I just knew I would enjoy this novel... and I was so right. And don't let the light, happy cover fool you because there is definitely more to this novel than meets the eye!
When Zahra, Kalie, and Syd first meet in group counseling, sent there to help deal with their parent's failed marriages, they don't expect to have anything in common... and least of all, not the same boyfriend. Angry and out for a little bit of revenge, the three girls band together to serve some justice to the boy who broke their hearts. So when Project Payback is a mission success, the girls think that's that and will attempt to move on... but word travels fast and soon the girls have clients in need of some relationship help. Reconnaissance, mediation, revenge and even match-making... these girls will do it all, for a certain fair price of course.
Zahra, Kali and Syd have such different personalities yet their friendship is completely palpable. It was wonderful to see their friendship bloom over the course of the novel from complete strangers to a close knit of friends who were just like family. Kali's fun and flirty, and although seeing her mother's many divorces have stopped her from having a true relationship with someone, she's always the hopeful, bubbly one. Syd is more of the tough girl, but behind this facade, she's lonely and throws herself into art with passion while also caring for her dog Banksy. And then there's Zahra with her dreams of one day becoming a celebrity pastry chef ... and she's sort of the middle ground between them all.
The story is told solely from Zahra's point of view and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Compared to Kali and Syd, she sort of thinks of herself as just an average girl even though she's anything but; she's struggling with her own identity and heritage as she deals with a broken heart. She believes that a great deal of why her parents separated were their two completely different cultures; her father's Scottish background and her mother's Pakistani one. And with her mother's parents visiting from Pakistan and staying at their home, she feels this is the case more than ever. She feels torn between two worlds and is unsure how to stick true to herself without disappointing anyone. Watching as Zahra slowly comes to accept herself was just another aspect I thoroughly enjoyed about this novel!
Moving on to something lighter... there is some pretty awesome relationship advice given in this novel! Kali, Syd, and Zahra may have had their own problems with love but they're sure good at giving advice to others. And I must of course mention Brody... his steady bantering with Zahra was a source of constant amusement for me! He also offered some useful and insightful advice to the girls as well, proving he was much more than just a pretty face.
Love, Inc. goes beyond being just a light read. It may be humourous with plenty of laugh out loud moments, but it's also a novel about the tribulations of love and family... and how friendships can arise from the most unexpected circumstances. It really does have a bit of everything!
I've been really looking forward to reading Love, Inc. ever since I first heard about it and after loving Girl v. Boy, Sandy and Yvonne's previous collaboration together, I just knew I would enjoy this novel... and I was so right. And don't let the light, happy cover fool you because there is definitely more to this novel than meets the eye!
When Zahra, Kalie, and Syd first meet in group counseling, sent there to help deal with their parent's failed marriages, they don't expect to have anything in common... and least of all, not the same boyfriend. Angry and out for a little bit of revenge, the three girls band together to serve some justice to the boy who broke their hearts. So when Project Payback is a mission success, the girls think that's that and will attempt to move on... but word travels fast and soon the girls have clients in need of some relationship help. Reconnaissance, mediation, revenge and even match-making... these girls will do it all, for a certain fair price of course.
Zahra, Kali and Syd have such different personalities yet their friendship is completely palpable. It was wonderful to see their friendship bloom over the course of the novel from complete strangers to a close knit of friends who were just like family. Kali's fun and flirty, and although seeing her mother's many divorces have stopped her from having a true relationship with someone, she's always the hopeful, bubbly one. Syd is more of the tough girl, but behind this facade, she's lonely and throws herself into art with passion while also caring for her dog Banksy. And then there's Zahra with her dreams of one day becoming a celebrity pastry chef ... and she's sort of the middle ground between them all.
The story is told solely from Zahra's point of view and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Compared to Kali and Syd, she sort of thinks of herself as just an average girl even though she's anything but; she's struggling with her own identity and heritage as she deals with a broken heart. She believes that a great deal of why her parents separated were their two completely different cultures; her father's Scottish background and her mother's Pakistani one. And with her mother's parents visiting from Pakistan and staying at their home, she feels this is the case more than ever. She feels torn between two worlds and is unsure how to stick true to herself without disappointing anyone. Watching as Zahra slowly comes to accept herself was just another aspect I thoroughly enjoyed about this novel!
Moving on to something lighter... there is some pretty awesome relationship advice given in this novel! Kali, Syd, and Zahra may have had their own problems with love but they're sure good at giving advice to others. And I must of course mention Brody... his steady bantering with Zahra was a source of constant amusement for me! He also offered some useful and insightful advice to the girls as well, proving he was much more than just a pretty face.
Love, Inc. goes beyond being just a light read. It may be humourous with plenty of laugh out loud moments, but it's also a novel about the tribulations of love and family... and how friendships can arise from the most unexpected circumstances. It really does have a bit of everything!
September 1, 2011
Posted on K-Books
http://k-booksxo.blogspot.com/2011/09...
First of all I just want to say a big thank you to Allison and Busby Publishing for sending me a review copy of this book.
When I received this for review I couldn't wait to start it. I am a huge fan of chic lit books and it sounded like such a great story. I was not disappointed in any way at all.
Zhara has the perfect boyfriend. Rico is sweet, loving and completely supports her in all of her dreams. It seems like everything is finally going right for her and he has reinforced her belief in love which has started to dwindle after her parent's split. But when she is forced to go to group counselling with other teens dealing with their parents split she meets Kali and Syd. a.k.a Rico's other two girlfriends, Kali is upset, Zhara is devastated but Syd is downright heartbroken. The unlikely trio band together to get back at him and what starts as a payback mission turns into an unlikely business and a very close friendship. As the girls help others with their love lives can they finally get over Rico and find their own happy ending?
I absolutely loved this book, there are no other words for how amazing it is. I love Zhara, she is just one of the best lead female characters in a book. She's devastated when she finds out about her 'perfect' boyfriends infidelity but she still managed to carry on and not let it get her down too much. I think she is the perfect role model for teenage girls whom this book is aimed at, I think she's awesome. I loved the other 2 lead girls as well but Zhara was out narrator so naturally I liked her better as you see everything she is feeling and you see the story through her eyes.
This book had me close to tears and laughing hysterically. I love that you see different cultures, her grandparents Pakistani roots mixed with her american customs she has grown up with and I loved seeing that as a side story. It's kind of like an identity crisis and she doesn't know what to do. I would hate to have a grandmother like hers, I honestly don't know how she coped with it but every scene her grandmother was in I was in hysterics laughing so much as the outrageous things she was doing. I loved most of the characters and I loved the crazy things the girls got up to while going about their 'business'.
This book is definitely about love, and anyone who is a sucker for a love story like me will not be disappointed but mainly it's about friendship and the power of friendship. It's a great uplifting story that shows no matter what happens at home and what walks of life you are from your family and friends are the most important thing.
I love this book and I will most definitely check out the authors other books. A great fun read that will have you laughing all the way through. I am so glad I got this for review and I would definitely read it again and again.
http://k-booksxo.blogspot.com/2011/09...
First of all I just want to say a big thank you to Allison and Busby Publishing for sending me a review copy of this book.
When I received this for review I couldn't wait to start it. I am a huge fan of chic lit books and it sounded like such a great story. I was not disappointed in any way at all.
Zhara has the perfect boyfriend. Rico is sweet, loving and completely supports her in all of her dreams. It seems like everything is finally going right for her and he has reinforced her belief in love which has started to dwindle after her parent's split. But when she is forced to go to group counselling with other teens dealing with their parents split she meets Kali and Syd. a.k.a Rico's other two girlfriends, Kali is upset, Zhara is devastated but Syd is downright heartbroken. The unlikely trio band together to get back at him and what starts as a payback mission turns into an unlikely business and a very close friendship. As the girls help others with their love lives can they finally get over Rico and find their own happy ending?
I absolutely loved this book, there are no other words for how amazing it is. I love Zhara, she is just one of the best lead female characters in a book. She's devastated when she finds out about her 'perfect' boyfriends infidelity but she still managed to carry on and not let it get her down too much. I think she is the perfect role model for teenage girls whom this book is aimed at, I think she's awesome. I loved the other 2 lead girls as well but Zhara was out narrator so naturally I liked her better as you see everything she is feeling and you see the story through her eyes.
This book had me close to tears and laughing hysterically. I love that you see different cultures, her grandparents Pakistani roots mixed with her american customs she has grown up with and I loved seeing that as a side story. It's kind of like an identity crisis and she doesn't know what to do. I would hate to have a grandmother like hers, I honestly don't know how she coped with it but every scene her grandmother was in I was in hysterics laughing so much as the outrageous things she was doing. I loved most of the characters and I loved the crazy things the girls got up to while going about their 'business'.
This book is definitely about love, and anyone who is a sucker for a love story like me will not be disappointed but mainly it's about friendship and the power of friendship. It's a great uplifting story that shows no matter what happens at home and what walks of life you are from your family and friends are the most important thing.
I love this book and I will most definitely check out the authors other books. A great fun read that will have you laughing all the way through. I am so glad I got this for review and I would definitely read it again and again.
April 5, 2011
3rd QUARTER
SITI HM KHAIRI
Love, Inc.
by Yvonne Collins
409 pages
Hyperion $16.99
ISBN 1423131150
Kali, Syd and Zahra have the best boyfriends in the world. Correction: Kali, Syd and Zahra have the best BOYFRIEND (no "s") in the world. It was of little known fact that these three ladies of the opposite spectrum have the same taste in guys AND happen to have the same boyfriend. Wait, what?
Kali, Syd and Zahra are put into a church therapy session due to the separation of their parents. As if that was hard enough, Rick/Rico/Eric was cheating on them with each other. They're now forced to work together for their therapy project and plan an official payback for Rick/Rico/Eric. But with sweet revenge comes an unexpected friendship AND business. With their successful epic payback, people have started to turn to them for advice. And soon, Kali, Syd, and Zahra form an unlikely "framily" and a secret on-demand joint business on how to make or break a relationship. Matchmaking? Mediation? Surveillance? Revenge anyone? Step right up! 'Cause like they said, "Your relationship is our business".
I would definitely recommend this book to teenage girls. It is a realistic fiction book on relationships and teen drama. It is also a morally driven story that teaches you a lot about how life works from relationships, family, friends, success, betrayal and hopeless love. And it shows that even though you think you can't survive through an ordeal, it may surprise you who would pick you back up and keep you from falling.
SITI HM KHAIRI
Love, Inc.
by Yvonne Collins
409 pages
Hyperion $16.99
ISBN 1423131150
Kali, Syd and Zahra have the best boyfriends in the world. Correction: Kali, Syd and Zahra have the best BOYFRIEND (no "s") in the world. It was of little known fact that these three ladies of the opposite spectrum have the same taste in guys AND happen to have the same boyfriend. Wait, what?
Kali, Syd and Zahra are put into a church therapy session due to the separation of their parents. As if that was hard enough, Rick/Rico/Eric was cheating on them with each other. They're now forced to work together for their therapy project and plan an official payback for Rick/Rico/Eric. But with sweet revenge comes an unexpected friendship AND business. With their successful epic payback, people have started to turn to them for advice. And soon, Kali, Syd, and Zahra form an unlikely "framily" and a secret on-demand joint business on how to make or break a relationship. Matchmaking? Mediation? Surveillance? Revenge anyone? Step right up! 'Cause like they said, "Your relationship is our business".
I would definitely recommend this book to teenage girls. It is a realistic fiction book on relationships and teen drama. It is also a morally driven story that teaches you a lot about how life works from relationships, family, friends, success, betrayal and hopeless love. And it shows that even though you think you can't survive through an ordeal, it may surprise you who would pick you back up and keep you from falling.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2015
This was more of a younger YA, if that makes sense. I flew through it and it was fun to read. However, It's not that deep and meaningful. Something nice ans easy, and there's nothing wrong with that.
If you enjoyed The Karma Club check this one out.
If you enjoyed The Karma Club check this one out.
January 18, 2011
Zahara Ahmed-MacDuff's parents are separated and Rico has been the one thing--well, guy--holding her together. When she's sentenced to do group therapy with other teens that are in her situation (parents divorced or separated), she meets Kali and Syd, two girls who share one thing in common with Zahara--Rico who is also known as Rick although his real name is Eric. Yes, he's been playing all three of them along and once they find out, they decide to get revenge. Although originally intended to just teach Eric a lesson, they decide to make a business out of it. Want to know if your boyfriend or girlfriend has been cheating on you? Need someone to negotiate a break-up? Look no further than Love, Inc. However, the real question is whether or not the girls will be able to move on after the whole Rico/Rick/Eric fiasco.
I love that Zahara is a baker and dreams of having her own television show--she's already planned to entitle it as "The Sweet Tooth"--and that both Kali and Syd are also very unique characters. More importantly, if it hadn't been for group therapy, they wouldn't have met and thus wouldn't have become such an amazing trio. I think that my favorite part about Love, Inc. would have to be not knowing who Zahara would end up with until--roughly--the last fifth of the book. Was it going to be Andrew? Riaz? Brody? The book really builds and in my opinion, everything that was mentioned in the book as well as the minor characters played an important role in bringing the storyline together. Although I will force myself to admit that I didn't care too much for Riaz and that I felt that Andrew's reaction was a little strong. I won't tell you more than that though as it could be considered spoilers--and well, you know how I feel about those. However, I really did enjoy reading Love, Inc. and if you're looking for a light read, this might be it.
I love that Zahara is a baker and dreams of having her own television show--she's already planned to entitle it as "The Sweet Tooth"--and that both Kali and Syd are also very unique characters. More importantly, if it hadn't been for group therapy, they wouldn't have met and thus wouldn't have become such an amazing trio. I think that my favorite part about Love, Inc. would have to be not knowing who Zahara would end up with until--roughly--the last fifth of the book. Was it going to be Andrew? Riaz? Brody? The book really builds and in my opinion, everything that was mentioned in the book as well as the minor characters played an important role in bringing the storyline together. Although I will force myself to admit that I didn't care too much for Riaz and that I felt that Andrew's reaction was a little strong. I won't tell you more than that though as it could be considered spoilers--and well, you know how I feel about those. However, I really did enjoy reading Love, Inc. and if you're looking for a light read, this might be it.
September 18, 2014
Zahra's stuck between splitting parents. That's bad enough, but her Pakistani grandparents have arrived for an extended stay and are driving her crazy as they turn her mom into some sort of squishy religious stranger. To add insult to injury, she's been sentenced to group therapy because her estranged parents can't communicate with her and think that therapy will fix, by proxy, the mess they created and can't deal with.
The group is a mix of boys and girls, all of whom have unstable and/or divorcing parents.
There's cynicism aplenty and at first, very little mutual support. When Zahra, Kali and Syd all realize they've been dating the same guy, they suddenly have a target to focus all their anger and frustration. Eric, aka Rico, aka Rick loves his fancy rebuilt car, so the girls hatch a plot to trash and befoul Miss Daisy as he calls his ride. Their scheme is not only well done, but the description as they complete it is funny as heck.
Word gets around and it isn't long before the three girls realize there's plenty of money to be made exacting revenge for other kids, but why stop there. It doesn't take long for them to start taking on spying assignments for other teens who suspect their significant other is cheating on them. It's just a skip and a hop from this to facilitating breakups and finding the perfect match for teens floundering in the dating pool.
Too bad Zahra can't find her own hottie, even though a perfect match is right under her nose. Toss in more and more stress from her grandparents, worry over what's happening to her younger sister, some jobs that go too well and a few that go bad, plus a dog in desperate need of a pacemaker and you have one great read. Teens who like a smart, sassy and funny romance will eat this book up in a couple sessions. It's definitely one to add to any library that likes to provide teens with good reading material.
The group is a mix of boys and girls, all of whom have unstable and/or divorcing parents.
There's cynicism aplenty and at first, very little mutual support. When Zahra, Kali and Syd all realize they've been dating the same guy, they suddenly have a target to focus all their anger and frustration. Eric, aka Rico, aka Rick loves his fancy rebuilt car, so the girls hatch a plot to trash and befoul Miss Daisy as he calls his ride. Their scheme is not only well done, but the description as they complete it is funny as heck.
Word gets around and it isn't long before the three girls realize there's plenty of money to be made exacting revenge for other kids, but why stop there. It doesn't take long for them to start taking on spying assignments for other teens who suspect their significant other is cheating on them. It's just a skip and a hop from this to facilitating breakups and finding the perfect match for teens floundering in the dating pool.
Too bad Zahra can't find her own hottie, even though a perfect match is right under her nose. Toss in more and more stress from her grandparents, worry over what's happening to her younger sister, some jobs that go too well and a few that go bad, plus a dog in desperate need of a pacemaker and you have one great read. Teens who like a smart, sassy and funny romance will eat this book up in a couple sessions. It's definitely one to add to any library that likes to provide teens with good reading material.
September 20, 2011
Love Inc is one of those books who girls who love romantic contemporary fiction will devour eagerly and be left wanting more about the three main character and their madcap adventures.
The story revolves around three girls who meet at therapy. They're there because of their divorced or divorcing parents to ensure they don't go off the rails and when they meet they find out they have a whole lot more in common. It turns out they have all been seeing the same boy who has been willingly triple-timing them. Rather than turning against each other they put their heads together and do something together to teach him a lesson.
The stunt they pull becomes infamous and off the back of it the girls form their own business called "Love Inc" set up to help others deal with all their relationship issues both positive and negative.
The beauty of this book is the relationship built up between the three main characters who start as virtual strangers but end up as the best of friends despite the fact they are all totally different personalities. The story managed to be both funny and heartfelt all the way through. The story would also appeal to a a good mix of different girls as the main characters were so diverse.
All in all a relly sweet story which a nice and easy read.
The story revolves around three girls who meet at therapy. They're there because of their divorced or divorcing parents to ensure they don't go off the rails and when they meet they find out they have a whole lot more in common. It turns out they have all been seeing the same boy who has been willingly triple-timing them. Rather than turning against each other they put their heads together and do something together to teach him a lesson.
The stunt they pull becomes infamous and off the back of it the girls form their own business called "Love Inc" set up to help others deal with all their relationship issues both positive and negative.
The beauty of this book is the relationship built up between the three main characters who start as virtual strangers but end up as the best of friends despite the fact they are all totally different personalities. The story managed to be both funny and heartfelt all the way through. The story would also appeal to a a good mix of different girls as the main characters were so diverse.
All in all a relly sweet story which a nice and easy read.
November 9, 2010
Imagine finding out that your boyfriend, Rico, not only has one other girlfriend - but two. Syd is dating “Eric”, Kali goes out with “Rick" but in the end, they are all Zahra's Rico. What I found funny about the whole thing was how eclectic Rico's tastes were. Each girl was the total opposite of each other, yet somehow they strike a friendship and create Love, Inc.
I think the Collins / Rideout team did a fabulous job in Zahra (our narrator). She's down to earth, smart, funny and her friends Syd and Kali are just as likeable. The way they handle their peers' love troubles are witty and clever and more than once had me laughing out loud. Aside from the lighter feel to the story, there were also some serious topics that were touched upon like growing up with divorced parents, the importance of friendships, accepting oneself, etc.
All in all, this was a very charming, fun and satisfying read.
I think the Collins / Rideout team did a fabulous job in Zahra (our narrator). She's down to earth, smart, funny and her friends Syd and Kali are just as likeable. The way they handle their peers' love troubles are witty and clever and more than once had me laughing out loud. Aside from the lighter feel to the story, there were also some serious topics that were touched upon like growing up with divorced parents, the importance of friendships, accepting oneself, etc.
All in all, this was a very charming, fun and satisfying read.
June 27, 2011
I loved this book! It was so cute. The characters were all important and the plot clear. The girls found out that they have the same boyfriend, so they want revenge.
The girls revenge were such a success that people are coming to them for help. The girls decide to help them. That's when Love, Inc. is born
The story was written from Zahra's point of view but you got to know Syd and Kali very well. While the girls helped people with their releationships, the girls had to deal with their own.
My favorite character in this book was Brody. He was so cute and sweet!
This is a perfect summer read. If you haven't read it yet, do that. It's really awesome!
The girls revenge were such a success that people are coming to them for help. The girls decide to help them. That's when Love, Inc. is born
The story was written from Zahra's point of view but you got to know Syd and Kali very well. While the girls helped people with their releationships, the girls had to deal with their own.
My favorite character in this book was Brody. He was so cute and sweet!
This is a perfect summer read. If you haven't read it yet, do that. It's really awesome!
February 22, 2023
I read this book time and time again, not because it's particularly earth-shattering, but because, like the Parent Trap, it's comforting and fun and a little bit creative/entrepreneurial and a lot about great friendships. As per usual, I enjoyed my read immensely.
Want to read
September 16, 2011A mi lista de cumpleaños
February 27, 2020
Honestly way too long. The book's not bad but it gets repetitive. There are so many subplots that each time one cycles back around you realize you've forgotten all about it reading the 6 in between. Despite that, the main plot still manages to lack direction. Get this on audiobook so you can multitask. It's not worth taking time out of your day to read 400+ pages of it.
Read
November 23, 2019A fun, easy read! Something that I really liked about this book is that it didn't have some terrible problem that the main character took forever to conquer. she was just a normal girl with regular day to day problems.
February 12, 2023
While this book was predictable to me in one of the endgame relationships of Zahra and Brody I still loved their slowburn somewhat enemies to lovers relationship and the overall book was cute and relatable 4.5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2017
A good book about friendship. Not really the amount of love I wanted from a book with "love" in the title.
December 23, 2017
Good but the love interest borderline felt abusive to me (I know it's biased but still>.<) The actual love/revenge cases were fun though :D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2018
I didn’t love this book at first but it got better and I really like how the author really connected it.
March 26, 2018
I didn’t have very high expectations for this. I really just wanted a light and fun book for spring break, and that’s exactly what I got!
June 29, 2018
Review by P.R. : "I like how even though there were problems the girls had, there was still a happy ending."
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October 9, 2019I love the book!
November 13, 2019
This is not for younger kids 😂
September 14, 2020
Good girl drama book
Read
September 21, 2020LOL i think this is the book that had a moment with a guy and a girl and her saree. It stuck with me forever -- gotta see if it is this
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2020
the book was pretty good, but it left me on a cliffhanger, and there's no second book so i think is deserves only 3 stars.
October 6, 2022
3.5
Cute! I love revenge
Cute! I love revenge
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